Swinglowandslow
Well-known member
I would not put myself in the bracket of being overly environmentally friendly, I have traditionally driven high powered cars that had appalling MPG's and I would be a frequent visitor to the local petrol station. I have recently got an electric car but that was more to do with saving myself a bundle of cash and being more tax efficient than wanting to save the world.
That said I am torn on this one as the frustration is that turning up outside Westminster etc with placards doesn't have any effect whatsoever and whilst I don't necessarily agree with the method and the disruption it causes I am not entirely sure what the alternative is. I live within a couple of minutes of Junction 9 on the M25 so it is one of the areas that is regularly targeted and whilst I don't tend to use the road when they protest our local area is gridlocked pretty quickly as people try and find alternative routes. Maybe I would view things differently if I had to use the M25 for work but I just plan accordingly when things get busy around here.
I believe we are rapidly approaching a tipping point and sadly I also believe that the protests etc won't make the blindest bit of difference and we are going to have to get used to living in a world where there are more extreme natural events and a lot of human displacement in the coming years as coastal areas find themselves under water. There are too many powerful people with a vested interest in not rushing through any immediate changes and by the point that they are ready it'll be too late. I would like to be wrong but seeing how things have worked over the last few years have done nothing to dissuade me from the view that they are only in it for themselves and the greater good is for others to worry about. Essentially we will just have to adapt to changing conditions and live here for as long as the place is habitable!
I was listening to the radio yesterday and there was an interesting counter argument being made against those who say that we should be protesting against China etc. China haven't signed up to the timelines for net zero etc that a lot of the world have however the point was made that the reason they haven't is that they have set a more realistic timescale to achieve it and when those deadlines arrive it is going to be the Chinese that are a lot closer to being there than other countries who have made ambitious claims but ultimately miss every one of them!
With regards the police arresting the reporter I think this is a timely reminder of why we shouldn't be considering giving them any further powers as they cannot be trusted with the ones that they have. The reporter, if minded, will sue and will win her case easily however it'll be us as tax payers that will pick up the bill due to the over zealousness of a couple of police officers who seemed to have little clue (or care) for dealing with members of the press.
Finally, on the lorry incident that injured a policeman, it was during a rolling road block. I would suggest that if a lorry driver cannot control their vehicle at very low speeds then they shouldn't be on our roads.
With you completely until the penultimate paragraph .Nailed it!
We don’t know the full circumstances of that Police and Press action, so judgement is premature.
What I will say that of all the countries in the world, ours is one where accountability for Police actions is good.
Also, I have seen first hand situations where peaceful protest, I.e. stood on pavement holding placards, has then changed having been orchestrated by the Press for photo reasons where the protesters were gathered and asked to charge at gates from which lorries were trying to emerge. IOW, incitement!
And, if anything is complicated, the Law is?